If Wishes Were Snitches
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Chapter 4 Tea Leaves
Rons search for the twins turned out to be fruitless. Harry and Ron joined Ginny, Hermione and Luna in the kitchen.
"They went off to meet with Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall." Said Ginny between bites. "Mum and Dad went with them. Fred and George didn't look too happy but Mum looked like the cat who got into the cream."
"Huh." Shrugged Ron. He scooped up two bowls of porridge from the huge pot on the stove and shoved one into Harry's hand, then he poured tea into two chipped mugs and pressed one into Harry's other hand. The two of them sat at the table and began their breakfast.
Hermione had finished eating and spread a parchment out in front of her.
"What is that?" asked Ron gesturing at her scroll with his spoon. "It's not a study schedule already? School doesn't start for a week and I know you've long since finished summer reading assignments."
"It's for Fred and George. If they're coming back to Hogworts for their final year they have loads to catch up on before NEWTs."
Harry looked up surprised. "Fred and George are coming back to Hogworts? What about their joke shop?"
"Believe it or not Mum has agreed to manage it until they finish school. She's been helping out all summer in the shop and is apparently quite clever at research and development. She claims they got all their best stuff from her. She and Moody have been working on some top secret project in the workroom in the back of the shop." Said Ginny.
Hermione smiled at Harry and added "She invented a brilliant silencing hanky. We draped it over the portrait of Mrs. Black . . . " She trailed off. "...Well." She resumed in a forced hearty voice "Fred and George have ever so much to study. I'm not sure they'll be able to play Quidditch."
"What? Are you mad? They'll give up eating and sleeping first." Said Ron indignantly.
"They may have to anyway. I'm not sure I'll be able to fit eating and sleeping into the schedule."
Harry spooned more sugar onto his porridge and smiled at his friends. It felt so good to be back together. Luna's dreamy gaze turned to Harry and she smiled back at him. Her smile caused a flicker of memory from last night's dream to hover just out of focus. A lingering feel of peacefulness remained.
Ron and Hermione continued to squabble while Ginny tried to keep Ron from tearing up the parchment.
"I'm telling you," hissed Hermione "Forget Fred and George playing Quidditch this year. Gryffindor will have to do without."
"Is that all based on your extensive divination skills? Tell me, maybe your tea leaves will also tell you what color knickers I'm wearing?"
"Grey" said Luna looking up at Ron. She blinked then blushed when she noticed all eyes turned her way and the sudden silence in the room. Ron gapped and shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"I saw you, this morning . . . on your way to the loo . . . tea leaves only tell you that you've finished your cup."
It was Rons turn to blush. I need to find my robe, he thought.
The sound of the front door banging shut distracted Ron from his embarrassment. "If that's Fred and George we can get ourselves off to the Quidditch pitch." He said eagerly casting a glance at Hermione. Hermione just shook her head at him and returned to her scheduling.
Ron's face fell when Percy, not the twins came through the door.
"Well, look who's here."He said flatly.
Percy looked around the room and nodded at the group gathered at the table.
"Well. This feels odd. I'm home. I think. Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione it is good to see all of you." His gaze stopped at Luna. "And you are?"
Ron jumped up out of his seat and stood behind Luna much to their mutual surprise.
"She's Luna. Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw. A supporter of the Order. Perhaps you'll recall her participation in the events at the Ministry as a member of Dumbledore's Army?"
Percy rolled his eyes at Ron and sneered. "Oh, the Ministry debacle. That didn't go well did it? Not exactly a brilliant strategy to leap blindly into a trap."
Harry felt a wave of bile crash into the back of his throat.
Hermione shot up and slapped Percy hard across the cheek. Percy paled and tightened his lips and huffed out his held breath through his nose. A bright red mark bloomed across his cheek bone.
"Harry." He sighed. "I'm sorry. Really." He darted a glance at Hermione who was flushed and breathing with hitched breaths and quietly slipped from the room.
Ron moved over to where Harry sat stonily and gently put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry. He's a great prat. Never mind him."
Harry shrugged off Ron's hand and without a word rose to stand by the window his body tense and an icy hand squeezing his heart. Ron heavily sat in Harry's vacant seat and sighed, shoving his hands into his hair and leaning forwards on his elbows.
The door swung open again and all eyes turned. Neville sleepily shuffled in. "Good Morning" He yawned, "Ron, Ginny, I saw your brother Percy leaving."
"Leaving. Good." Grumped Ron.
"Mmm. He said he would be staying up at Hogworts. Big news, eh? Percy a professor."
"What?"
"Didn't he tell you? He said Professor Dumbledore offered him the History of Magic post since Professor Binns, well, is starting to fade away. His voice has grown so faint they doubt anyone could follow his lecture anymore and he's so transparent he's more of a mist ."
Hermione looked down at her stinging hand in horror. "You mean I've attacked a teacher again?"